SlideShare une entreprise Scribd logo
1  sur  21
Télécharger pour lire hors ligne
UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM
 Secularism is the concept that
government or other entities
should exist separately
from religion and / or religious
beliefs.
 Secularism, also
called Secularity or
(adjectives: Secular or non
religious) is the idea of something
UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM
UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM
 Secularism draws its intellectual roots from
 Greek and Roman philosophers
 Medieval Muslim polymaths (people of great
or varied learning)
 Enlightenment thinkers
 Modern freethinkers (people who have
rejected authority and dogma, especially in
religious thinking, in favor of rational inquiry
and speculation)
 Agnostics
 Atheists
It has been argued that
secularism is a movement
toward modernization,
and away from traditional
religious values.
 In political terms, secularism is a movement
towards the separation of religion and
government (often termed the separation of
Church and State). This can refer to:
 Reducing ties between a government and
a state religion
 Replacing laws based on scripture (such as
Torah and Sharia law) with civil laws
 Eliminating discrimination on the basis of
religion
 This is said to
 add to democracy
 India
 France
 Mexico
 South Korea
 Turkey
But none of these nations have
identical forms of governance
UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM
 Secularism in India means equal
treatment of all religions by the state.
Unlike the Western concept of
secularism which envisions a
separation of religion and state, the
concept of secularism in India
envisions acceptance of religious
laws as binding on the state, and equal
participation of state in different
religions.
A 19th-century Hindu
temple in
Khajuraho India,
incorporating a Hindu
spire, a Jain cupola, a
Buddhist stupa
and a Muslim style
dome, in place
of the usual shikhara
Ellora caves, a world
heritage site, are in the
Indian state of
Maharashtra. The 35
caves were carved into
the vertical face of the
Charanandri hills
between the 5th and 10th
centuries. The 12
Buddhist caves, 17
Hindu caves and 5 Jain
caves, built in proximity,
suggest religious co-
existence and secular
sentiments for diversity
prevalent during pre-
 With the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution of
India enacted in 1976, the Preamble to the
Constitution asserted that India is a secular nation.
However, neither India's constitution nor its laws
define the relationship between religion and state.
According to the Constitution, only a secular State can
realise its objectives to ensure the following:
1. That one religious community does not dominate
another;
2. That some members do not dominate other
members of the same religious community;
3. That the State does not enforce any particular
religion nor take away the religious freedom of
 First, it uses a strategy of distancing
itself from religion.The Indian State is
not ruled by a religious group and nor
does it support any one religion. In
India, government spaces like law
courts, police stations, government
schools and offices are not supposed
to display or promote any one religion.
UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM
 The second way is through a strategy
of noninterference. This means that in
order to respect the sentiments of all
religions and not interfere with
religious practices, the State makes
certain exceptions for particular
religious communities.
 The third way is through a strategy of
intervention. Untouchability. This is a good
example where members of the same
religion (‘upper-caste’ Hindus) dominate
other members (some ‘lower castes’) within
it. In order to prevent this religion-based
exclusion and discrimination of ‘lower
castes’, the Indian Constitution bans
untouchability.
UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM
 The intervention of the State can
also be in the form of support. The
Indian Constitution grants the right
to religious communities to set up
their own schools and colleges. It
also gives them financial aid on a
non preferential basis.
 Unlike the strict separation between religion
and the State in American secularism, in
Indian secularism the State can intervene in
religious affairs.
 Indian Constitution intervened in Hindu
religious practices in order to abolish
untouchability.
 In Indian secularism though the State is not
strictly separate from religion it does
maintain a principled distance vis-à-vis
religion. This means that any interference in
 The Indian State is secular and works in
various ways to prevent religious
domination. The Indian Constitution
guarantees Fundamental Rights that are
based on these secular principles. However,
this is not to say that there is no violation of
these rights in Indian society. Indeed it is
precisely because such violations happen
frequently that we need a constitutional
mechanism to prevent them from happening.
The knowledge that such rights exist makes
us sensitive to their violations and enables

Contenu connexe

Tendances

Secularism: "What does it really mean"?
Secularism: "What does it really mean"?Secularism: "What does it really mean"?
Secularism: "What does it really mean"?NivedanKumar
 
Ppt ch 5 the judiciary class 8
Ppt ch 5 the judiciary class 8Ppt ch 5 the judiciary class 8
Ppt ch 5 the judiciary class 8jyotiBisht31
 
Understanding secularism
Understanding secularismUnderstanding secularism
Understanding secularismdeepika thakur
 
The making of national movement 1870s-1947s
The making of national movement 1870s-1947s The making of national movement 1870s-1947s
The making of national movement 1870s-1947s ARJUNPRATHEEP
 
India after independence
India after independenceIndia after independence
India after independence123dhivya
 
Understanding Secularism (1).pptx
Understanding Secularism (1).pptxUnderstanding Secularism (1).pptx
Understanding Secularism (1).pptxNavdishaLamba
 
Understanding Laws (VIII SST)
Understanding Laws (VIII SST)Understanding Laws (VIII SST)
Understanding Laws (VIII SST)hpgorane
 
Ch 07 understanding marginalsisation1
Ch 07 understanding  marginalsisation1Ch 07 understanding  marginalsisation1
Ch 07 understanding marginalsisation1Praveen M Jigajinni
 
Class VIII HISTORY - 5 THE REVOLT OF 1857
Class VIII    HISTORY - 5 THE REVOLT OF 1857Class VIII    HISTORY - 5 THE REVOLT OF 1857
Class VIII HISTORY - 5 THE REVOLT OF 1857Vinod Pralhad Sonawane
 
Class 8 chapter_14_the_nationalist_movement
Class 8 chapter_14_the_nationalist_movementClass 8 chapter_14_the_nationalist_movement
Class 8 chapter_14_the_nationalist_movementKamlesh Khanna
 
Ppt on criminal justice system class 8
Ppt on criminal justice system class 8Ppt on criminal justice system class 8
Ppt on criminal justice system class 8jyotiBisht31
 
Grade - 7. Social Science .Women change the world
Grade - 7. Social Science .Women change the world Grade - 7. Social Science .Women change the world
Grade - 7. Social Science .Women change the world Navya Rai
 
Civics chapter 10 understanding marginalization
Civics chapter 10 understanding marginalization  Civics chapter 10 understanding marginalization
Civics chapter 10 understanding marginalization NandiniDangwal
 

Tendances (20)

Secularism
SecularismSecularism
Secularism
 
Secularism: "What does it really mean"?
Secularism: "What does it really mean"?Secularism: "What does it really mean"?
Secularism: "What does it really mean"?
 
Ppt ch 5 the judiciary class 8
Ppt ch 5 the judiciary class 8Ppt ch 5 the judiciary class 8
Ppt ch 5 the judiciary class 8
 
Understanding secularism
Understanding secularismUnderstanding secularism
Understanding secularism
 
The making of national movement 1870s-1947s
The making of national movement 1870s-1947s The making of national movement 1870s-1947s
The making of national movement 1870s-1947s
 
The Indian Constitution, SPL class 8, cbse
The Indian Constitution, SPL class 8, cbseThe Indian Constitution, SPL class 8, cbse
The Indian Constitution, SPL class 8, cbse
 
India after independence
India after independenceIndia after independence
India after independence
 
Ch 01 the indian constitution
Ch 01 the indian constitutionCh 01 the indian constitution
Ch 01 the indian constitution
 
Understanding Secularism (1).pptx
Understanding Secularism (1).pptxUnderstanding Secularism (1).pptx
Understanding Secularism (1).pptx
 
Understanding Laws (VIII SST)
Understanding Laws (VIII SST)Understanding Laws (VIII SST)
Understanding Laws (VIII SST)
 
Ch 07 understanding marginalsisation1
Ch 07 understanding  marginalsisation1Ch 07 understanding  marginalsisation1
Ch 07 understanding marginalsisation1
 
Class viii civics - 5 Judiciary
Class viii   civics - 5 JudiciaryClass viii   civics - 5 Judiciary
Class viii civics - 5 Judiciary
 
Understanding secularism
Understanding secularismUnderstanding secularism
Understanding secularism
 
Class VIII HISTORY - 5 THE REVOLT OF 1857
Class VIII    HISTORY - 5 THE REVOLT OF 1857Class VIII    HISTORY - 5 THE REVOLT OF 1857
Class VIII HISTORY - 5 THE REVOLT OF 1857
 
Class 8 history
Class 8 historyClass 8 history
Class 8 history
 
Class 8 chapter_14_the_nationalist_movement
Class 8 chapter_14_the_nationalist_movementClass 8 chapter_14_the_nationalist_movement
Class 8 chapter_14_the_nationalist_movement
 
Ppt on criminal justice system class 8
Ppt on criminal justice system class 8Ppt on criminal justice system class 8
Ppt on criminal justice system class 8
 
Grade - 7. Social Science .Women change the world
Grade - 7. Social Science .Women change the world Grade - 7. Social Science .Women change the world
Grade - 7. Social Science .Women change the world
 
Agriculture geography class 8th
Agriculture geography class 8th Agriculture geography class 8th
Agriculture geography class 8th
 
Civics chapter 10 understanding marginalization
Civics chapter 10 understanding marginalization  Civics chapter 10 understanding marginalization
Civics chapter 10 understanding marginalization
 

Similaire à UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM

Right to freedom of religion.pptx
Right to freedom of religion.pptxRight to freedom of religion.pptx
Right to freedom of religion.pptxsuryaasuryaa2
 
Social science | class - 8th | secularism | ncert | Lovely Professional Univ...
Social science | class - 8th |  secularism | ncert | Lovely Professional Univ...Social science | class - 8th |  secularism | ncert | Lovely Professional Univ...
Social science | class - 8th | secularism | ncert | Lovely Professional Univ...smriti bhoray
 
Compatibility of Secularism in India: A Contested Discourse
Compatibility of Secularism in India: A Contested DiscourseCompatibility of Secularism in India: A Contested Discourse
Compatibility of Secularism in India: A Contested Discourseinventionjournals
 
Ambedkar,Women movement And Buddhism
Ambedkar,Women movement And BuddhismAmbedkar,Women movement And Buddhism
Ambedkar,Women movement And BuddhismMangeshraj
 
Secularism_Indian Polity
Secularism_Indian Polity Secularism_Indian Polity
Secularism_Indian Polity Rahul Yaduka
 
Education and secularism
Education and secularismEducation and secularism
Education and secularismHONEY BABU
 
Compare And Contrast John Locke On Religion And Government
Compare And Contrast John Locke On Religion And GovernmentCompare And Contrast John Locke On Religion And Government
Compare And Contrast John Locke On Religion And GovernmentSandra Wood
 
Red Report Card Freedom of Religion in Indonesia
Red Report Card Freedom of Religion in IndonesiaRed Report Card Freedom of Religion in Indonesia
Red Report Card Freedom of Religion in IndonesiaMicha Paramitha
 
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism.docx.pdf
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism.docx.pdfNCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism.docx.pdf
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism.docx.pdfreadingchallengejnvs
 
Journal Religio_82-301-1-PB
Journal Religio_82-301-1-PBJournal Religio_82-301-1-PB
Journal Religio_82-301-1-PBHatim Gazali
 
FAMILY LAW PRESENTATION THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA.pptx
FAMILY LAW PRESENTATION THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA.pptxFAMILY LAW PRESENTATION THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA.pptx
FAMILY LAW PRESENTATION THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA.pptxabdul195b002
 

Similaire à UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM (20)

Right to freedom of religion.pptx
Right to freedom of religion.pptxRight to freedom of religion.pptx
Right to freedom of religion.pptx
 
Social science | class - 8th | secularism | ncert | Lovely Professional Univ...
Social science | class - 8th |  secularism | ncert | Lovely Professional Univ...Social science | class - 8th |  secularism | ncert | Lovely Professional Univ...
Social science | class - 8th | secularism | ncert | Lovely Professional Univ...
 
Secular state
Secular state Secular state
Secular state
 
vac assignment 4.docx
vac assignment 4.docxvac assignment 4.docx
vac assignment 4.docx
 
Secularism
SecularismSecularism
Secularism
 
Religious Beliefs In India Essay
Religious Beliefs In India EssayReligious Beliefs In India Essay
Religious Beliefs In India Essay
 
Compatibility of Secularism in India: A Contested Discourse
Compatibility of Secularism in India: A Contested DiscourseCompatibility of Secularism in India: A Contested Discourse
Compatibility of Secularism in India: A Contested Discourse
 
Secularism
SecularismSecularism
Secularism
 
IGP PPT.pptx
IGP PPT.pptxIGP PPT.pptx
IGP PPT.pptx
 
Ambedkar,Women movement And Buddhism
Ambedkar,Women movement And BuddhismAmbedkar,Women movement And Buddhism
Ambedkar,Women movement And Buddhism
 
Secularism_Indian Polity
Secularism_Indian Polity Secularism_Indian Polity
Secularism_Indian Polity
 
Secularism
SecularismSecularism
Secularism
 
Secularism
SecularismSecularism
Secularism
 
Education and secularism
Education and secularismEducation and secularism
Education and secularism
 
Compare And Contrast John Locke On Religion And Government
Compare And Contrast John Locke On Religion And GovernmentCompare And Contrast John Locke On Religion And Government
Compare And Contrast John Locke On Religion And Government
 
Red Report Card Freedom of Religion in Indonesia
Red Report Card Freedom of Religion in IndonesiaRed Report Card Freedom of Religion in Indonesia
Red Report Card Freedom of Religion in Indonesia
 
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism.docx.pdf
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism.docx.pdfNCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism.docx.pdf
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism.docx.pdf
 
Essay On Religion In India
Essay On Religion In IndiaEssay On Religion In India
Essay On Religion In India
 
Journal Religio_82-301-1-PB
Journal Religio_82-301-1-PBJournal Religio_82-301-1-PB
Journal Religio_82-301-1-PB
 
FAMILY LAW PRESENTATION THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA.pptx
FAMILY LAW PRESENTATION THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA.pptxFAMILY LAW PRESENTATION THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA.pptx
FAMILY LAW PRESENTATION THE CONCEPT OF DHARMA.pptx
 

Dernier

Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdfDiploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdfMohonDas
 
How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17
How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17
How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17Celine George
 
Department of Health Compounder Question ‍Solution 2022.pdf
Department of Health Compounder Question ‍Solution 2022.pdfDepartment of Health Compounder Question ‍Solution 2022.pdf
Department of Health Compounder Question ‍Solution 2022.pdfMohonDas
 
Prescribed medication order and communication skills.pptx
Prescribed medication order and communication skills.pptxPrescribed medication order and communication skills.pptx
Prescribed medication order and communication skills.pptxraviapr7
 
5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...
5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...
5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...CaraSkikne1
 
How to Solve Singleton Error in the Odoo 17
How to Solve Singleton Error in the  Odoo 17How to Solve Singleton Error in the  Odoo 17
How to Solve Singleton Error in the Odoo 17Celine George
 
Vani Magazine - Quarterly Magazine of Seshadripuram Educational Trust
Vani Magazine - Quarterly Magazine of Seshadripuram Educational TrustVani Magazine - Quarterly Magazine of Seshadripuram Educational Trust
Vani Magazine - Quarterly Magazine of Seshadripuram Educational TrustSavipriya Raghavendra
 
The basics of sentences session 10pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 10pptx.pptxThe basics of sentences session 10pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 10pptx.pptxheathfieldcps1
 
AUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptx
AUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptxAUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptx
AUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptxiammrhaywood
 
Riddhi Kevadiya. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE....
Riddhi Kevadiya. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE....Riddhi Kevadiya. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE....
Riddhi Kevadiya. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE....Riddhi Kevadiya
 
How to Manage Cross-Selling in Odoo 17 Sales
How to Manage Cross-Selling in Odoo 17 SalesHow to Manage Cross-Selling in Odoo 17 Sales
How to Manage Cross-Selling in Odoo 17 SalesCeline George
 
CHUYÊN ĐỀ DẠY THÊM TIẾNG ANH LỚP 11 - GLOBAL SUCCESS - NĂM HỌC 2023-2024 - HK...
CHUYÊN ĐỀ DẠY THÊM TIẾNG ANH LỚP 11 - GLOBAL SUCCESS - NĂM HỌC 2023-2024 - HK...CHUYÊN ĐỀ DẠY THÊM TIẾNG ANH LỚP 11 - GLOBAL SUCCESS - NĂM HỌC 2023-2024 - HK...
CHUYÊN ĐỀ DẠY THÊM TIẾNG ANH LỚP 11 - GLOBAL SUCCESS - NĂM HỌC 2023-2024 - HK...Nguyen Thanh Tu Collection
 
The Stolen Bacillus by Herbert George Wells
The Stolen Bacillus by Herbert George WellsThe Stolen Bacillus by Herbert George Wells
The Stolen Bacillus by Herbert George WellsEugene Lysak
 
Work Experience for psp3 portfolio sasha
Work Experience for psp3 portfolio sashaWork Experience for psp3 portfolio sasha
Work Experience for psp3 portfolio sashasashalaycock03
 
ARTICULAR DISC OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT
ARTICULAR DISC OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINTARTICULAR DISC OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT
ARTICULAR DISC OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINTDR. SNEHA NAIR
 
Optical Fibre and It's Applications.pptx
Optical Fibre and It's Applications.pptxOptical Fibre and It's Applications.pptx
Optical Fibre and It's Applications.pptxPurva Nikam
 

Dernier (20)

Finals of Kant get Marx 2.0 : a general politics quiz
Finals of Kant get Marx 2.0 : a general politics quizFinals of Kant get Marx 2.0 : a general politics quiz
Finals of Kant get Marx 2.0 : a general politics quiz
 
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdfDiploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
Diploma in Nursing Admission Test Question Solution 2023.pdf
 
How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17
How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17
How to Add a New Field in Existing Kanban View in Odoo 17
 
Department of Health Compounder Question ‍Solution 2022.pdf
Department of Health Compounder Question ‍Solution 2022.pdfDepartment of Health Compounder Question ‍Solution 2022.pdf
Department of Health Compounder Question ‍Solution 2022.pdf
 
Prescribed medication order and communication skills.pptx
Prescribed medication order and communication skills.pptxPrescribed medication order and communication skills.pptx
Prescribed medication order and communication skills.pptx
 
5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...
5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...
5 charts on South Africa as a source country for international student recrui...
 
How to Solve Singleton Error in the Odoo 17
How to Solve Singleton Error in the  Odoo 17How to Solve Singleton Error in the  Odoo 17
How to Solve Singleton Error in the Odoo 17
 
Vani Magazine - Quarterly Magazine of Seshadripuram Educational Trust
Vani Magazine - Quarterly Magazine of Seshadripuram Educational TrustVani Magazine - Quarterly Magazine of Seshadripuram Educational Trust
Vani Magazine - Quarterly Magazine of Seshadripuram Educational Trust
 
The basics of sentences session 10pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 10pptx.pptxThe basics of sentences session 10pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 10pptx.pptx
 
March 2024 Directors Meeting, Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
March 2024 Directors Meeting, Division of Student Affairs and Academic SupportMarch 2024 Directors Meeting, Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
March 2024 Directors Meeting, Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
 
AUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptx
AUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptxAUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptx
AUDIENCE THEORY -- FANDOM -- JENKINS.pptx
 
Riddhi Kevadiya. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE....
Riddhi Kevadiya. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE....Riddhi Kevadiya. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE....
Riddhi Kevadiya. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE....
 
How to Manage Cross-Selling in Odoo 17 Sales
How to Manage Cross-Selling in Odoo 17 SalesHow to Manage Cross-Selling in Odoo 17 Sales
How to Manage Cross-Selling in Odoo 17 Sales
 
CHUYÊN ĐỀ DẠY THÊM TIẾNG ANH LỚP 11 - GLOBAL SUCCESS - NĂM HỌC 2023-2024 - HK...
CHUYÊN ĐỀ DẠY THÊM TIẾNG ANH LỚP 11 - GLOBAL SUCCESS - NĂM HỌC 2023-2024 - HK...CHUYÊN ĐỀ DẠY THÊM TIẾNG ANH LỚP 11 - GLOBAL SUCCESS - NĂM HỌC 2023-2024 - HK...
CHUYÊN ĐỀ DẠY THÊM TIẾNG ANH LỚP 11 - GLOBAL SUCCESS - NĂM HỌC 2023-2024 - HK...
 
The Stolen Bacillus by Herbert George Wells
The Stolen Bacillus by Herbert George WellsThe Stolen Bacillus by Herbert George Wells
The Stolen Bacillus by Herbert George Wells
 
Work Experience for psp3 portfolio sasha
Work Experience for psp3 portfolio sashaWork Experience for psp3 portfolio sasha
Work Experience for psp3 portfolio sasha
 
Prelims of Kant get Marx 2.0: a general politics quiz
Prelims of Kant get Marx 2.0: a general politics quizPrelims of Kant get Marx 2.0: a general politics quiz
Prelims of Kant get Marx 2.0: a general politics quiz
 
ARTICULAR DISC OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT
ARTICULAR DISC OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINTARTICULAR DISC OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT
ARTICULAR DISC OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT
 
Optical Fibre and It's Applications.pptx
Optical Fibre and It's Applications.pptxOptical Fibre and It's Applications.pptx
Optical Fibre and It's Applications.pptx
 
Personal Resilience in Project Management 2 - TV Edit 1a.pdf
Personal Resilience in Project Management 2 - TV Edit 1a.pdfPersonal Resilience in Project Management 2 - TV Edit 1a.pdf
Personal Resilience in Project Management 2 - TV Edit 1a.pdf
 

UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM

  • 2.  Secularism is the concept that government or other entities should exist separately from religion and / or religious beliefs.  Secularism, also called Secularity or (adjectives: Secular or non religious) is the idea of something
  • 5.  Secularism draws its intellectual roots from  Greek and Roman philosophers  Medieval Muslim polymaths (people of great or varied learning)  Enlightenment thinkers  Modern freethinkers (people who have rejected authority and dogma, especially in religious thinking, in favor of rational inquiry and speculation)  Agnostics  Atheists
  • 6. It has been argued that secularism is a movement toward modernization, and away from traditional religious values.
  • 7.  In political terms, secularism is a movement towards the separation of religion and government (often termed the separation of Church and State). This can refer to:  Reducing ties between a government and a state religion  Replacing laws based on scripture (such as Torah and Sharia law) with civil laws  Eliminating discrimination on the basis of religion  This is said to  add to democracy
  • 8.  India  France  Mexico  South Korea  Turkey But none of these nations have identical forms of governance
  • 10.  Secularism in India means equal treatment of all religions by the state. Unlike the Western concept of secularism which envisions a separation of religion and state, the concept of secularism in India envisions acceptance of religious laws as binding on the state, and equal participation of state in different religions.
  • 11. A 19th-century Hindu temple in Khajuraho India, incorporating a Hindu spire, a Jain cupola, a Buddhist stupa and a Muslim style dome, in place of the usual shikhara
  • 12. Ellora caves, a world heritage site, are in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The 35 caves were carved into the vertical face of the Charanandri hills between the 5th and 10th centuries. The 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu caves and 5 Jain caves, built in proximity, suggest religious co- existence and secular sentiments for diversity prevalent during pre-
  • 13.  With the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution of India enacted in 1976, the Preamble to the Constitution asserted that India is a secular nation. However, neither India's constitution nor its laws define the relationship between religion and state. According to the Constitution, only a secular State can realise its objectives to ensure the following: 1. That one religious community does not dominate another; 2. That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community; 3. That the State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of
  • 14.  First, it uses a strategy of distancing itself from religion.The Indian State is not ruled by a religious group and nor does it support any one religion. In India, government spaces like law courts, police stations, government schools and offices are not supposed to display or promote any one religion.
  • 16.  The second way is through a strategy of noninterference. This means that in order to respect the sentiments of all religions and not interfere with religious practices, the State makes certain exceptions for particular religious communities.
  • 17.  The third way is through a strategy of intervention. Untouchability. This is a good example where members of the same religion (‘upper-caste’ Hindus) dominate other members (some ‘lower castes’) within it. In order to prevent this religion-based exclusion and discrimination of ‘lower castes’, the Indian Constitution bans untouchability.
  • 19.  The intervention of the State can also be in the form of support. The Indian Constitution grants the right to religious communities to set up their own schools and colleges. It also gives them financial aid on a non preferential basis.
  • 20.  Unlike the strict separation between religion and the State in American secularism, in Indian secularism the State can intervene in religious affairs.  Indian Constitution intervened in Hindu religious practices in order to abolish untouchability.  In Indian secularism though the State is not strictly separate from religion it does maintain a principled distance vis-à-vis religion. This means that any interference in
  • 21.  The Indian State is secular and works in various ways to prevent religious domination. The Indian Constitution guarantees Fundamental Rights that are based on these secular principles. However, this is not to say that there is no violation of these rights in Indian society. Indeed it is precisely because such violations happen frequently that we need a constitutional mechanism to prevent them from happening. The knowledge that such rights exist makes us sensitive to their violations and enables